Balance Changes - Knights Season

With the decadent host only just past the deafening noise continues as the war horns of the Knights ring out. Both the Knights of the Imperium and their twisted cousins take to the field.

We’ve got a dual faction focus this season with both Servants of the Emperor and Chaos getting the spotlight. Given the broad scope, we’ve narrowed the focus down to the largest cards in each faction to stick to the theme, extending this to the other factions by reviewing some of the most costly cards that aren’t Lords of War. We’ve also picked out a small selection of cards from both Servants and Chaos that are currently struggling for a quick spot balance as well.

So let’s get stuck in!

Balance Changes

Chaos:

Eternal Wrath - House Lucaris War Dog Brigand -2 Cost, +10R

As the first appearance of Chaos Knights in the game, Eternal Wrath is somewhat showing its age compared to the new Knights in the roster, and while still only a lesser war engine as a War Dog, there's definitely room for improvement hence this season's buff!

Decima - Knight Rampager Dreadblade +20W, +10M, +10R

On the other side of the scale the Decima is one of the new releases but a bit off on the power level compared to other options. To make sure all your knight options are viable, were adding a few more stats all round to keep them a viable option.

Xu'Kul of the Eighth Reaping - Lord of Skulls -7 Cost

Although already targeted by a reduction in cost, the Lord of Skulls still struggles and is quite clearly outshone by some of the other Chaos options for Lords of War, so we’ve dropped another hefty amount of points off, because space is more of a premium when it comes to these big cards rather than stats.

Honoured Gor'zrak - Black Legion Possessed -2 Cost

Changed last season with a number of lower Berserk cards, the stats up/cost up approach may have been a bit much on the cost, and so we’re taking Gor’zrak’s new cost down by a little while still keeping the intention of him playing as a more valuable piece.

Kraarouth - Black Legion Chaos Space Marine +2 Cost, +8(20)W, +10R

There’s definitely been some more play ranged Chaos decks this season, and Kraarouth as a clear mid line filler card that should be a staple for these kinds of decks is noticeably below the curve, so a strong stat buff with a bit of extra cost may help here.

Gibberfleth - Accursed Cultist Torment -30W, +20M

Another issue struggling Bersek card, Gibberfleth has the highest hp of any card in his cost bracket, but still doesn’t get enough benefit from that pair with Berserk to find much play. By shaving a reasonable amount off its Wounds, we can give it a massive increase in Melee cutting the reliance on Berserk to ramp damage, and allowing for a more immediate impact on the board.

Servants of the Emperor:

Gamma-Lance 088 - Armiger Warglaive of the Adeptus Mechanicus +15M, +15R

As the oldest Knight representation in the game, Gamma-Lance is long overdue for a significant buff. It’s identity throughout the game has been as a balanced heavy hitter, and we aim to preserve that by increasing both attacks equally, meaning it's a serious contender for a reliable damage dealer, and one that a lot of players should have at a high level!

Carnivore - House Terryn Armiger Helverin +10M, +20R

Similarly Carnivore is on the older side, being released at the same time that the Chaos Knights were first added to the game. And well, you can always do with more damage, especially on these larger cards, and with a lot of SoE competition for the hard hitting Barrage cards, buffing Carnivore seemed fair. Also with a solid Melee attack, Carnivore is perhaps the best all rounder Barrage card in the roster compared to a lot of mono-attack monsters that the Imperium’s artillery can bring to bear.

Blue Devil - Marauder Bomber -2 Cost, +10R

Another newer Lord of War, like Decima for Chaos, that is perhaps a bit out of whack with other similar Lord of War options, and so the Bomber is getting a slight buff to bring it into line.

Amalia Novena - Adepta Sororitas Sister Superior -3 Cost

An absolutely classic card that has gone from a staple card with a wide number of decks to the second from bottom win rate card in faction. Shields are always going to be useful so no need for a trait rework, and the key area for competition is going to be with cheaper utility cards. Taking the price point down to a comparable position in that pool makes here a much more viable pick.

Skoni Walker-ψ9107 - Adeptus Mechanicus Sydonian Dragoon -4 Cost

Skoni-Walker has been on the cusp of the lowest bracket for a long time, and while it has good stats, as a Rare card bringing only Scout as a trait means that the limited utility is at quite a premium. Bringing this cost should help, and we’ll see if this lower cost, and comparably strong stats is enough to help it see more play.

Logan Stone - Inquisitorial Pistoleer +10W, +5R

Another newer card, but one that's been in circulation long enough for it to be competitively playable, and its been struggling compared to the other Inquistorial agents in the same set. A such Stone is getting a small all round buff.

T’au:

Shas'vre Dassan - T'au Sept XV104 Riptide Battlesuit -6 Cost

As mentioned in the introduction, we were also looking at big cards in other factions. The Riptide was one of the “Lord of War” class cards before the LoWs were widely introduced, and since that time, the Riptide’s costing has put it in that bracket without actually being one. As such we’re slashing its cost to place it out of the LoW bracket and hopefully give this card a place in more competitive lists.

Necrons:

Tireless Resistance - Sautekh Dynasty Tesseract Vault +30W, +10R

Dynastic Decimator - Necron-Pylon +30W

The Necron Lords of War could definitely do with a bit of a tune up and we’ve opted to hone in on the more resilient theme of the faction for both with each receiving a boost in wounds that should make a difference!

Tyranids:

Specimen: LV-426-HT-Φ - Scythed Hierodule -6 Cost

Specimen: LV-117-AL-Ξ - Barbed Hierodule -6 Cost

Both Hierodules fall into the same category of being in the LoW price bracket without actually being one themselves. As such both are getting a good price drop to take them below the 80pt mark, and hopefully make them both a lot more viable, and look less out of place trying to compete with the LoWs.

And as ever we have the list of cards being added to the general pool! We’ve got a bumper crop for the Servants of the Emperor this season with a number of the Agents kill teams getting into rotation.

ADDED TO THE GENERAL POOL

Aeldari:

Justune and Yrlla - Craftworld Saim-Hann Vyper

Servants of the Emperor:

'Shifty' - Navis Gheistskull Nitsch - Voidmaster Larsen Van Der Grauss - Lectro-Maester Knosso Prond - Death Cult Executioner Elucia Vhane - Rogue Trader Sister Aveline - Daemonbreaker Mirrad Strolke - Adeptus Arbites Gunner Denah Karta - Adeptus Arbites Chirurgant Chengaz Gonderssen - Adeptus Arbites Subductor Maximillian - R-VR Cyber-Mastiff Josef Drestein - Adeptus Arbites Proctor-Exactant Kyrus 'Smasher' - Navis Axejack Ougum Khou - Navis Endurant Kaalsan Lannaq - Navis Gunner Nathadian Maxin - Adeptus Custodes Contemptor-Galatus Dreadnought

Space Marines:

Gabriel Seth - Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers Demetrian Titus - Ultramarines Lieutenant